New State Initiative To Support Victims Of Gun Violence

Lieutenant Governor Austion Davis recently joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey and U.S. Representative Dwight Evans to announce a new state initiative to support victims of gun violence through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which Davis chairs.

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Feedback Requested For PCCD's 2023 Juvenile Justice Plan To The Governor

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is responsible for providing recommendations to the Governor on juvenile justice issues, funding, and other matters. PCCD’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee is seeking community input to inform priorities and recommendations that should be considered for the 2023 Juvenile Justice Plan to the Governor. We would appreciate your input to this survey to help us with our planning.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023JJPlan_SystemPartnersSurvey

What Is Restorative Justice?

The following short film — the first in a series named after the exhibition and produced by Zealous — focuses on our current, failed approach to violence, what “restorative justice” means, and how the practice offers a path forward for healing, accountability, health, and safety. 

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Courthouse Locations

You are able to use this website to find a list of courthouses in each state where you can file for a protection order.

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Black Kids Face Racism Before They Even Start School. It's Driving A Major Mental Health Crisis

In predominately black schools, students' mental health is further tested by pressures and discrimination they endure because they are Black, as well as violence and poverty in their communities that have faced years of disinvestment.

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LGBTQI+ Pride Month

OVC resources that help victim service providers identify, reach, and serve victims who identify as LGBTQI+.

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Applying The Stepping Up Framework To Advance Racial Equity

Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) have long advocated for addressing disparities in the behavioral health and criminal justice systems. Such pervasive inequities can be complex to understand and overwhelming to counties that are just starting to confront them. The Stepping Up framework offers a solid foundation to effect more racially equitable outcomes, specifically among individuals with serious mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. This brief shows Stepping Up counties how to apply the tools they already have in place to incrementally build policies, programs, and practices that increase racial equity and mitigate disparities. 

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Instagram Accused Of Guiding Users To Child-Sex Content

According to a new investigation, Instagram's algorithms actively promote underage-sex content.

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This annual commemoration is a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities around the world to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

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Autism And The Criminal Justice System: Policy Opportunities And Challenges

An International Society for Autism Research Policy Brief.

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Preventing Deepfakes Of Intimate Images Act

As the capabilities of artificial intelligence rapidly increase so do the ways people are targeted by it there is an increasing need for standards for protection to be set through bills like the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act which was introduced by Rep. Joseph Morelle (D–N.Y.). 

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Free Sign Language Interpretation Service For Victim Service Providers

Activating Change is launching a new service that provides remote qualified, trauma-informed remote sign language interpretation services - free of charge - to victim service providers in the United States. Victim service providers must meet eligibility requirements and apply to participate. The service also provides expert guidance, tools, and resources to strengthen organization's capacity to effectively secure, prepare and work with sign language interpreters of different specializations, including Deaf Interpreters and trilingual interpreters.

If your organization is interested in receiving interpretation services from Activating Change, you will need to submit an online application. Activating Change will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, June 13 and applications are due by Friday, July 7.

We will release the application via email and our social media, so be sure to follow us to stay up to date with our announcements.  

Serving And Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence

Join the National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence for a workshop on the unique and specific needs of LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and best practices for providing interventions, support, and healing. IPV is one of the largest and most critical health issues confronting LGBTQ people. Research has consistently concluded that LGBTQ individuals are at higher risk of experiencing psychological, physical, and sexual IPV. The continuing crisis of IPV and domestic violence within LGBTQ communities is matched by a severe shortage of tailored, appropriate, and trauma-informed LGBTQ victim services nationwide.

Please click here to register.

Enhancing Language Access In Rural Communities

June 28 10:00 - 11:30 CST

Presented by the Institute for Coordinated Community Response, learn about the unique challenges experienced by Crime victims who are limited English proficient (LEP) living in rural communities.  

This webinar will address the barriers victims who are LEP or use different modes of communication and how to enhance their access to justice in rural communities.

Please click here to register.

Victims Compensation Assistance Program Online Trainings

 The following trainings will be held on June 21, 2023. 

• Loss of Support Clinic – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Medical Expenses Clinic –10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following trainings will be held on June 26, 2023. 



• Transportation Expenses Clinic – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Crime Scene Cleanup Expenses Clinic –10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following trainings will be held on July 7, 2023.  

• Loss of Support Clinic - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Medical Expenses Clinic – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following training will be held on July 17, 2023.  

• Basic Compensation - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

All trainings count towards 1 hour of the required RASA/VOCA/VOJO training hours, except Basic Compensation which counts towards 2 and DAVE training which counts towards 2.25.

Please click here to register.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.